Anti-cancer effect of endemic Gundelia dersim exosomes on different cancer types

Exosomes are the smallest subgroup of EVs (Extracellular Vesicles) that have properties such as hereditary material transport, intercellular communication, immune regulation and signal transmission and are nanosized (30-100 nm) separated from other EVs with their own biogenesis, lipid structures and cargo contents are bioactive vesicles. Although these vesicles were initially thought to be only responsible for removing wastes from the cell, it was determined that they had many functions. As their structures began to be understood, it was demonstrated that cells can take these nano-vesicles into cells without distinguishing the cell they are secreted from and the potential of these vesicles to be used as therapeutic agents has emerged. In the light of this information, in our study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of these exosomes on cancer cells by isolating exosomes from Gundalia dersim, a subspecies of Gundelia with anti-cancer properties. Isolated exosomes were visualized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). BCA (Bikinchoninic acid) protein analysis was performed.. . Exosomes were applied to HCT116 (colon cancer) and A549 (human lung cancer) cell lines. WST1 (Water-soluble tetrazolium salt – 1 analysis) was performed and the cytotoxic effect of the exosome in these cell lines was examined. According to our findings, increasing concentrations of exosomes obtained from the endemic species Gundelia dersim showed a cytotoxic effect by reducing cell viability in HCT 116 cell lines, except for the values at 25 and 50μg/mL of 24, 48 and 72 hour periods. In A549 cell lines, on the other hand, it was determined that exosomes showed a cytotoxic effect in 24 and 48 hours of incubation, but did not show cytotoxic effects by increasing cell viability in 72 hours of incubation. As a result, it is thought that Gundalia Dersim exosomes may have an anti-cancer effect if supported by further studies